Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-03-11
RS. SHEPHERDSTOWN, W. VA FRIDAY, MAkCH u, 1oo.

slbly turn out, Tor 1t was In the very
middle of the grove. 1t didn't take Jack
long to make up his mind what to do.
With a quick sweep of his leg he turned
the sled sideways. He couldn't stop it,
but he could make the end where he sat
hit the logs first. A second later Phillis
was lying in little frightened heap in
thr ,uow by the roadside unhurt, but
Jack was stretched out. white and sense
less, under his sled by the side of the
big runners of the log-sled.
"The master picked him up and car
ried him to the school-house. Then he
sent for Jacks father, who was the
country doctor. After Jack opened his
eyes and knew any one, he was carried
home, and he didn't leave it all winter
long. His back was injured, so they
said. The next spring he was able to 60
to school again, but he couldn't play
with the other boys. His crutches were
in the way, and no matter how much
he whispered the master never whipped
him. He never wanted to, either, for
most every one loved Jack. He used to
sit with little Phillis and they learned
their lessons out of me. During recess
they would open me at the map Of Eu-
rope, and mark out the trip they were
going to take when they grew up and
were married. They were going to
Paris where Jack was going to be cured.
Then they would live in Italy year or
so on the banks Of beautiful lake. and
they would be so happy that they would
not care whether they had any money
or not"
Well" observed Dickens, when the
Geography paused momentto breathe,
"did they marry?"
"No," returned the other sadly. "The
next year Jack died and was buried in
the little churchyard behind the village
church. Phillis' father preached the
sermon at the funeral and the whole
school put flowers on the grave. For a
while Phillis was inconsolable, but such
grief never lasts very long, so | have
learned, and before her school days
were over she was just as CHEEKY and
much more beautiful than ever before.
| was laid away very carefully-for
Phillis never forgot the secrets that l
shared with her. But l haven't seen
her for years. don't know really
what has become OF her. She brought
me to this house with her over in the
old chest. L"
At this moment the library door
opened aud there entered the mistress of
the house, slight, handsome woman,
with a sweet face and silver hair.
81 thought | heard noise OH the
book Shelves" she said, "but | don't
see anything there to make it now. Per
haps it might have been a mouse. IN
look for it. Whyw she exclaimed, as
she seized the old geography and drew
it out of its place. chow did this dear
old Look ever come down here E? thought
had lost it years ago."
Sitting down near the table she open
ed the well.worn leaves. When she
came across the old-time map of Europe
criss-crossed by pencil marks, her face
softened, and as she bended over to kiss
the soiled and disfigured continent, two
tear drops were mingled with the blue
waters of the sea.
Il Think" whispered Dickens to Mat
thew Arnold, as he nodded in the direc-
ton of the old geography, 81 think |
know, now, why the old geography was
kept so long"
Yes" softly echoed the red-coated
line of SCOTS. Eyes; we think you do"